Jesus Aguirre, named DC's first Latino State Superintendent of Education

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- Mayor Vincent Gray announced on Wednesday that he has selected Jesús Aguirre as the District's new State Superintendent of Education.

Aguirre, who will also become the first Latino to take this position, is the current Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) director. He will replace Emily Durso, who has served as the Interim State Superintendent of Education since June.

"Jesús has extensive experience in educational operations and administration and has a true educator's heart, and I think he is a natural choice to direct OSSE's efforts to ensure every child in the District has access to a high-quality public education," said Mayor Gray in a press release.

Aguirre was also a former classroom teacher and the co-founder and executive director of "one of the first charter schools in Arizona."